Cylinder adjusting mechanism for rotary printing presses



June 17, 1952 R. R. RICHARDSON ET AL 2,601,220

CYLINDER ADJUSTING MECHANISM FOR ROTARY PRINTING PRESSES l0 Sheets-Sheet1 Filed Aug. 20, 1945 10 Sheets-Sheet 2 June 17, 1952 R. R. RICHARDSONE1; AL

CYLINDER ADJUSTING MECHANISM FOR ROTARY PRINTING PRESSES Filed Aug. 20.1945 June 17, 1952 R. R. RICHARDSON ET AL 2,601,220

CYLINDER ADJUSTING MECHANISM FOR ROTARY PRINTING PRESSES Filed Aug. 20,1945 10 SheetsSheet 3 fut/6711 0715: Baal pk R Bic/iczrcis'om and Z0 ZZZ[2161772, Edmond 5072,

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J1me 1952 R. R. RICHARDSON ET AL 2,601,220

CYLINDER ADJUSTING MECHANISM FOR ROTARY PRINTING PRESSES Filed Aug. 20,1945 10 Sheets-Sheet 4 7123072. and.

June 17, 1952 R. R. RICHARDSON ET AL 2,601,220

CYLINDER ADJUSTING MECHANISM FOR ROTARY PRINTING PRESSES l0 Sheets-Sheet5 Filed Aug. 20, 1945 J1me 1952 R. R. RICHARDSON ET AL 2,601,220

CYLINDER ADJUSTING MECHANISM FOR ROTARY PRINTING PRESSES l0 Sheets-Sheet6 Filed Aug. 20, 1945 30,2. AREzIc/iczrcls'on Z!) I I I L June 17, 1952R. R. RICHARDSON ET AL 2,601,220

CYLINDER ADJUSTING MECHANISM FOR ROTARY PRINTING PRESSES Filed Aug. 20,1945 10 Sheets-Sheet 7 fnueni o r15 fag 22A, R .Fc'cvard'son a d June17, 1952 R. R. RICHARDSON ET AL 2,601,220

CYLINDER ADJUSTING MECHANISM FOR ROTARY PRINTING PRESSES Filed Aug. 20,1945 10 Sheets-Sheet 8 42 P15] .frzuenz ams I ulp/i1? Ficardyoz; and152x157 I will 2.21m ffl'd'monalson June 17, 1952 R. R. RICHARDSON ETAL2,601,220

CYLINDER ADJUSTING MECHANISM FOR ROTARY PRINTING PRESSES Filed Aug. 20;1945 10 Sheets-Sheet s Mig l I i I J1me 1952 R. R. RICHARDSON ET AL2,601,220

10 Sheets-Sheet 10 Filed Aug.

WNN

Bic/ ara e and N 7/ A u T %N\ 5m! 4:: ML Km \m mm 1 M mx m MN N 13x MN M.8. W NN m r! am T Q Q uq h r" T-.-ilmil| i|l||lwliw Ii .3- -C )3 Q Q QN Patented June 17, 1952 CYLINDER ADJUSTING MECHANISM FOR ROTARYPRINTING PRESS-ES Ralph R. Richardson and William H.' Edmonds on,Chicago, Ill., assignors to United Biscuit Company, a corporation ofDelaware Application August- 20, 194s, Serial'No. 611,533

16 Claims. 1.

This invention relates to printing presses, and itis'concernedparticularly with a printing press wherein the printingcylinder is movable into and out of contact with the sheet or Web"beingprinted on and its supporting impression cylinder as distinguishedfrom the more conventional press arrangement in which the printingcylinder is rotatable on a fixed axis, and the impression cylindertogether with the sheet or web are movable to and from the printingcylinder. This invention is also more particularly concerned with aprinting press in which the printing cylinder is movable as aforesaid,and in which the printing cylinder is of the so-called gravure orintaglio type.

in theoperation of an intaglio printing press, ia'st drying inkis nowgenerally used and special arrangements are provided for preventingdryingof the ink onthe intaglio printing cylinder, especially when thepress is temporarily shut down for any purpose. One meansfor preventingthe drying of ink on the printing cylinder during a shut down period isto keep the print ing cylinder in rotation during such shut down periodbut out of contact with the web being printed. The roll being incontinuous rotation constantly rotates through the bath of ink sup:plied to it and is thus kept wet at all times. The speed of rotation ofthe printing roll may be cut down from its normal printing s'pe'ed or itmay be increased but this is relatively ummp'ortant. It is howeverimportant, especially iii-a multi color' press, that the printingcylinder be accurately r'e-reg-ister'ed with the printing cylinders ofother printingunits when printingona continuous Web.

The main objectsof the present invention are to provide simple buteffective means for automatically adjusting the printing cylinder to-=wards and from the impression cylinder under which the web or sheettravels for engagement by the printing cylinder; to rovide means where;-by theoperative relationship of the 'printi-ng CS'l indera-nd impressionroll may be accurately ad justed and maintained independently or themeans for moving therinting cylinder to. and from such' operativerelationship; to provide means which, when the press unit is shut downand the printing cylinder adjusted to inoperative position, willautomatically effect independent rotation of' the printin'g' cylinder soas to prevent the dryingof thereon; to provide an intaglio printingpress in which the relationship between the printing-cylinder; theapplying means and the ink doctoring means mayremai'nconstantin .2 allpositions of the printing cylinder; and to provide a printing press ofthe character indicated wherein printing cylinders of various diametersmay be used with relatively simple adjustments of the parts of the presswhich are aiiected by the change in printing roll diameter.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be understood byreference to the following specification and accompanying drawings(tenshe'ets) wherein there is illustrated an improved intaglio printingpress embodying a selected form of the invention.

In the drawings:

Fig. I is a side elevation, certain parts being broken away to moreclearly illustrate other parts;

Fig. 1a is a side elevation of the upper portion which is broken away inFig. 1;-

Fig. II) is a plan of a part of the mechanism;

Fig. I0 is a section showing certain details of a portion of themechanism shown in Fig. 1;

Fig'. 2 is an end elevation looking at the lefthand end of the press asshown in Fig. 1;

Figs. 3 and 4, when taken together, constitute a plan view ofsubstantially the entire press structure", Fig. 3 being partially insection and illustrating mechanism for driving the printing cylinder,and Fig. 4 showing the printing roll in the main body of the press fromwhich there has been removed for purposes of illustration certainpartswhich normally overlie the printingr011;

Fig. 5 is a section approximately on the lines 55 of Figs. 2- and 4;

6' is aside elevation of mechanism appeai ing at the left-hand end ofFig; 2;

7 isan end view, partially in section, of the mechanism shown in Fig.6', the mechanism being locatedon the far side of the left-hand endportionof Fig. 2';

Fig-.- 8 is aplan section on the line 8+8 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 9' is a section on the line 9-=9 of Fig. 3;

Fig; 1 0 is a cross sectionon the line I0-i '0 of Figs. '5 and 8 Fig. 11is a fragmentary side elevation as iridicateaby the'li-ne Il-H of Fisi8;

Fig. 12 is a diagrammatic illustration;

Flgs" 3 and 14 are elevation'al and sectional pectively on the'l'ins|3=--l-3 and M -Ii of Fig 2 and 4', certain portions being broken awayandsndwn-in sectionin Fig. 1 3-;

Fig. 15 is a section on the" line (5-1 5 of Fig-2 5; and

Fig". id is a sectibn on'the' line s-l s of Fig. 1 5.

The printing press illustrated in the drawings embodies a printing rollI and an impression cylinder 2, the paper or flat web 3 on whichprinting is to be effected being passed between said printing roll andimpression cylinder in the direction indicated by the arrow i. Theimpression roll 2 is preferably a rubber covered roll and it isvertically slidably mounted through the agency of bearing blocks 5 atits opposite ends in vertically extending guide members 6-6 which aresupported by the stationary main frame F. Downward movement of theimpression roll 2 may be limited by engagement of the lower edges of itsbearing blocks 5 with shoulders 88 formed on a frame member 9 and theimpression cylinder is normally urged downwardly by means of anoverlying roll [6. The roll I6 is vertically slidably mounted in theways 6-6 through the agency of its end bearing members I I and suitablespring means is provided for urging the bearing blocks II and the rolll6 downwardly to thereby urge the roll 2 downwardly.

The bearing blocks II at opposite sides of the frame are normally urgeddownwardly by pairs of springs 6262 which are normally under compressionbetween collars 63 and the overlying ends of a cross-head member 64. Thecollars 63 are formed integrally with spring guides 65 which threadedlyreceive extension bolts 66 which extend through the frame member 9 andbear on the upper edge of the pressure roll bearing block H. Thecross-head 64 has a screw threaded central opening 66 which threadedlyreceives a screw post 61, the lower end of which is journalled asindicated at 68 in the frame member 9. The upper end of said screw postis provided with a suitable flange 69 for engaging a thrust bearing 16which is seated on an annular bearing surface H provided in the top wall[2 of the housing 13 which encloses the spring pressure mechanism. Theupper end portion of the screw post 6'! is provided with a cylindricalbearing area 16 which is journalled in a suitable bearing opening in thetop portion 12 of the housing, and above said bearing portion 14 thepost is extended to receive a gear or worm wheel 75 which is suitablykeyed to the post. The washer TI is secured by a screw to the end of thepost so as to overlie a portion of the gear 15 to prevent its endwiseremoval from the post. The gear 15 has a hub portion which engages theupper surface 18 of said top wall member '12 to prevent downwardmovement of the post.

It will be seen that by rotation of the worm wheel 75 the screw post 6'!will be rotated to thereby effect vertical adjustment of the crosshead 6and corresponding adjustment of the compression of the springs 62. Thepressure of the springs 62 is, of course, transmitted downwardly to theextensions 66 and the bearing block ll so that the pressure roll IEIacts to yieldingly move the impression cylinder 2 to its lower limit ofmovement as determined by engagement of the lower edges of the bearingblocks 5 with the shoulders 8 on the frame member 9.

When the printing roll I is in its operative elevated position, as shownin Fig. 1, the impression cylinder 2 should be moved upwardly veryslightly so that a very slight space exists between the shoulders 6 andthe lower edge of the bearing blocks 5 to thereby insure pressurecontact between the impression cylinder 2 and printing roll I (orbetween the web or sheet and the printing roll) across the entire lengthof the printing roll. The upward spacing of the lower edges of thebearing blocks 5 from the shoulders 8 need be only slight, merelysufficient to make sure that the shoulders 8 do not prevent the springs62 from pressing the impression cylinder into engagement with theprinting roll when the latter is in its elevated operative position.

When the press is initially assembled, the springs at both sides are, ofcourse, properly adjusted to provide the required spring eifectedcontact between the impression cylinder and the printing roll.

In setting up the press, the cross-head 64 is adjusted to compress thesprings to a predetermined degree after which the extensions 66 areadjusted in such a manner that when the bearing blocks 5 are inengagement with the shoulders 8, the lower ends of the guide posts 65will at least slightly clear the top surface 16 of the frame member 9.Ihis will insure the application of spring force to the impressioncylinder at all times.

Once the press is set up it should not often be necessary to vary theadjustment of the spring pressure at one side without also adjusting thepressure at the other side. Accordingly means are provided forsimultaneously acting on the worm wheel 75 at each side of the press tocorrespondingly rotate the screw post 61.

The adjustment mechanism last referred to comprises, at each side of themachine, wormgears 264 which are respectively carried by shafts 205a and26% which are suitably journalled in housing cap members 266. The shafts205a. and 205?) are extended toward each other to enter suitably boredout ends of a tubular shaft 201. One end of the tubular shaft 201 issecured by set screw or other suitable means as indicated at 208 to theshaft 265a and at its other end it is provided with clutch teeth 209which are adapted to mesh with corresponding clutch teeth on a collar2"] which is secured by set screw 2 or other suitable means to the shaft2115b. A collar 2i2 is secured to the shaft 205a to engage the outersurface of the cap 206 to prevent shifting of the shaft 205a and gear204 inwardly, the gear itself being provided with an endwise extendingflange portion similarly engaging an inside surface of the cap 206 toprevent endwise shifting in the other direction. The shaft 20% isextended outwardly from the cap 266 and provided with a squared or othersuitably formed portion 213 which may be engaged by suitable wrench oroperating handle for turning the shaft 205b, and through the members2!!! and 201, the shaft 265a. Thus the spring mechanisms at both sidesof the machine may be simultaneously adjusted in the same direction. Inthe event that it should be found necessary to adjust one side and notthe other, the set screw 268 at one end of the tubular shaft 20! may beloosened to permit the tubular shaft 201 to be moved endwise suihcientlyto disengage the inter-meshing clutch teeth 269. When the clutch teethare so disengaged, either side may be adjusted independently of theother and for this purpose the shaft 265a, may also be extendedoutwardly as is the shaft 2515b to facilitate adjustment at that side ofthe press.

For the purpose of providing a visual indication of the extent ofcompression of the springs 62, each housing 13 is provided with avertically extending elongated slot 2M to permit a pin 2l5 projectinglaterally from the cross-head 66 to extend into a visible relation to asuitably graduated scale or other indicating means provided pression'cylinder. roll mounting and the said adjusting means will on the sidewall of the housing adjacent the slot 2M.

To prevent the cross-head 64 from rotating with the screw post 61 wheneffecting adjustment of the springs 62 there may be provided a pair ofset screws, one of which is indicated at 216, respectively disposed onopposite sides of one of the spring guide posts 65 which is prefer- Yably made slightly longer than the other such post. The screws 2I 6 arethreaded through the respective side walls of the housing 13 so that theinner ends of the screws will embrace the upper end of the elongatedspring guide post 65. The purpose of elongating the post whichcooperates with such set screws is to avoid any interference between theset screws and the crosshead 64 when the latter is adjusted to itshighest elevationon the screw post 61.

When the printing roll I is adjusted to its operative position, theimpression cylinder 2 and the intermediate pressure roll are movedupwardly slightly as already indicated. Such movement is, of course,transmitted to the spring guide posts 85, the upper ends of whichterminate sufiiciently short of the overlying top wall 12 of the housingto permit such upward movement of the posts. However, in respect of thespring .post (55 which is made somewhat longer to cooperate with thepositioning screws 216, there is provided in the top wall 12 of thehousing an opening 2 ll into which the upper end of the posts -65 mayextend in the event that an excessive amount of upward movement istransmitted "to said spring posts.

The printing cylinder l is mounted for vertical adjustment toward andfrom the impression cylinder 2, and there are provided two means forefiecting-suchmovement of the printing cylinder. One means for movingthe printing cylinder toward and from the impression cylinder surface toproduce a predetermined limited amount of separation of the printingcylinder from the impression cylinder is to temporarily interrupt theprinting operation of the press. The other means for adjusting theprinting cylinder is designed to afford a greater range of adjustmentand serves mainly to permit the mounting of printing cylinders of asubstantial range of diameters in the press for cooperation with thesame im- The details of the printing presently be described.

When the printing operation is temporarily interrupted by lowering theprinting cylinder from the impression cylinder, it is desirable to alsorelieve the pressure of the pressure roll H] on the impression cylinderwhich, being rubber covered, might tend to be deformed by the continuedapplication of the pressure roll pressure on a fixed portion of theimpression cylinder, it being understood that the paper web and theimpression cylinder would normally be stopped when the printingoperation is interrupted.

For the purpose of relieving the impression cylinder 2 of pressure fromthe pressure roll l0 when the printing operation is stopped, there isprovided a unit indicated at 225 intermediate the bearing blocks 5 and il of the printing and pressure rolls respectively. Said unit 225 (seeFig.

consists of a suitable housing 226 provided with a pair of pneumatic.cylinders 221 respectively containing pistons 228 which are movablevertically. The cylinders 221 are interconnected by a port 229 and aconveniently located ;port'230 is 3 provided for admitting and releasingcompressed air from the cylinders.

When the printing cylinder is lowered, a suitable air valve will :beeither manually or automatically actuated to admit compressed air intothe cylinders below the pistons 228 whereupon the latter will .be moved.upwardly, their upper ends-coming into engagement with the lower side ofthe pressure .roll bearing iblock III. The air pressure may :besufiicient .to move the pistons upwardly against the pressure .of thesprings :62 an extent sufiicient to just slightly separate the pressureroll I30 from the impression cylinder :2 or at least sufficient torelieve the pressure of'the roll It on the cylinder 2.

When .the press is to be shut down for an extended time period and whenair pressure may be shut off, the pressure of the springs 62 maybemanually reduced by turning of the shaft 20.! (Fig. 1b) as alreadyexplained, so as to permit a of springs 23] to effect upward movement ofthe pressureroll from the impression cylinder. The springs 23! are alsohoused in said housing 226 intermediate the pneumatic cylinders. Theunit 225 is seated on the printing-cylinder bearing block '5 and theopenings in the housing -226 "for the springs :23! may extend completelythrough said-housing so that the opposite ends of the springs willseaton the upperand lower edges respectively-of the bearing blocks5 andII. The springs 23! are, of course, of such strength that they will beeffective to raise the pressure roll after release of the springs 62 hasbeen efi'ected to asuitable extent.

The printing cylinder l is preferably of the intaglio typeand it isjournalled in bearings such as indicated at l2 (Fig. 1) formed in avertically movable and adjustable auxiliary frame member or cradle l3.Suitable bearing caps 14 arepro- *vided for cooperating with'thebearings I2 to hold =the endshafts 15 0f the printing roll in place inthe bearings 12.

The auxiliary frame member or cradle l3 comprises opposite side portionsIii-l6, which :are

.- rigidly interconnected by transversely extending means of posts2I-.2.l, there being two such posts at each side of the auxiliary frame.

The posts 21 have the auxiliary frame I3 seated on their upper ends andsecured thereto as indicated in Fig. 1 and each of said posts .2!extends downwardly into a sleeve 22 (see Fig. 10) which is verticallyslidably but non-rotatably mounted within another sleeve 23. The outersleeve 23 is in turn rotatably mounted in a suitably bored out bracketor casting 2.4 which is fixedly mounted on an adjacent'portion of the:main .frame 1.

The outer sleeve 23 is 'held against vertical movement in thecasting24by means of a pin 25 which is seated in the casting 24 and has itsinner end projecting into a groove 26 provided in said outersleeve. Theupper endof the outer sleeve 23 is provided with a helical gear or wormwheel 21 through which the outer sleeve may be rotated by means of acooperating helical gear or worm 28'.

The innersleeve 22 is keyed to the outer sleeve bymeansorkeys indicatedat-29.29 so thatithe inner sleeve is rotatable in unison with the outersleeve but is also vertically slidable relative to the outer sleeve.Said inner sleeve is provided with internal screw threading indicated atcooperating with screw threading 3| provided on the lower portion of thepost 2| so that when the sleeves 23 and 22 are rotated, the post 2| willbe adjusted up or down. By rotating the sleeves 23 and 22, the verticalposition of the post 2| and of the auxiliary frame |3 may be adjusted.This adjustment is made sufiicient to permit the use of printing rollsof whatever range of sizes is desired; for example, from 6-inch diameterrolls to 12-inch diameter rolls. The extent of adjustment required forthat range of printing rolls is, of course, 3 inches plus whateveradditional allowance may be desired.

The printing roll I may receive ink from any suitable means, such as anink trough or pan shown at 32 which is removably mounted in the cradle|3. The trough 32 may be removed with the cradle after ink inlet andoutlet conduits 33 and 34 respectively (Figs. 1 and 5), are disconnectedfrom the trough or pan. A doctor mechanism shown at 35 is arranged aswill hereinafter be explained so that it may easily and quickly be movedto an out-of-the-way position to permit the cradle l3 and printing rollI to be moved vertically into and out of place in the press.

For the purpose of adjusting the frame l3 up and down to accommodatedifferent sized rolls, it is of course desirable that the four posts 2|be simultaneously adjusted. This is effected by simultaneously rotatingthe sleeves 22 around the respective posts. vided a shaft 52 suitablyjournalled in bearings 36 carried by the main frame 1, the said shaftbeing equipped with worm-gears, such as the worm-gears 28 previouslymentioned for meshing with the worm wheels 21 of the respectivelyadjacent post structures. By turning the shaft 52. the two adjacent poststructures will be simultaneously adjusted up or down in accordance withthe direction in which the shaft 52 is rotated. To facilitate rotationof the shaft, one end thereof is provided with a squared projection 53for receiving a suitable crank or hand wheel.

Extending parallel with the opposite ends of the apparatus there areprovided shafts 54a. and 54b, each of which are suitably journalled inthe bearings 38 carried by the main frame I. The shafts 54a and 54b aregeared to the shaft 52 so as to be rotated when the shaft 52 is rotated,suitable helical gearing comprising gears 55 on the shaft 52 and gears56 on the shafts 54a and 5412 being provided.

At the other ends of the shafts 54a. and 541) there are provided helicalgears 51 which mesh with helical gears 58 provided on short shafts 59,which are suitably rotatably supported in bearings 39 carried by themain frame I. Said shafts 59 carry worm-gears 28 in mesh with the wormwheels 21 of the respectively adjacent post structures 2|. Rotation ofthe shaft 52 is thus imparted to the shafts 54a and 54b and to the twoshort shafts 59 so that all four of the post units 2| will besimultaneously adjusted in the same direction. The various connectinggears are, of course, properly selected to effect rotation of all of thegears 21 simultaneously in the same direction.

In conventional intaglie printing presses provision is usually made forelevating the impression cylinder, such as the impression roll 2together with the sheet or web 3 for the purpose For that purpose thereis proof interrupting the printing operation. That procedure results ina slackening of the web 3 and creates difliculties in effectingregistering of the printing effected by the printing r011 associatedwith the elevated impression cylinder with any previously orsubsequently applied printing or with previously determined printingpositions on the web.

For the purpose of facilitating temporary separation of the printingroll and the impression cylinder, provision is made in the improvedstructure for easily and quickly lowering and raising the printing rollto a limited extent, for example, about /,;-inch (or whatever distancemay .be desired) In this instance, the raising and lowering of theprinting roll is effected by raising and lowering the auxiliary frame |3on which the printing roll is supported. This is done by movin the innersleeve 22 (Fig. 10) and the post 2| at each corner, vertically. Suchmovement is accomplished through the agency of a sleeve extension member45 which is vertically slidable in the casting 24 and interconnectedwith the sleeve 22 by means of a split collar 53 having internal flanges64 and 65 which enter annular grooves 66 and 61 respectively in theinner sleeve 22 and the member 40. The parts of the split sleeve 63 areheld in assembled relation and in operative relation to the inner sleeve22 and the member 40 by means of a spring ring 4|.

The lower end of the member 40 projects from the lower end of thecasting 24 and has pivoted to it a link 42 which extends downwardly andhas its lower end pivoted as shown at 43 (see Figs. 1 and 5) to an arm44 carried ,by a shaft 45. There are two shafts such as the shaft 45,one at each end of the main frame, and there are of course two arms 44on each of the shafts for cooperating respectively with the postelevating mechanism at each corner. The shafts 45 are journalled insuitable bearings provided in the main frame 7. At one side of theapparatus the arms 44 are interconnected by a link 46 so that bothshafts 45 will rock in unison (see Figs. 1, 2 and 5).

One of the shafts 45 (see Figs. 2 and 5) is provided at one end with anarm 41 which extends at an angle to the adjacent arm 44 and has its freeend connected by suitable pin and slot connection shown at 48 to theouter end of a piston rod 49. The piston rod 49 carries a piston head 50within an hydraulic cylinder 5| into which fluid under pressure may bedelivered for moving the piston 50' in the required direction forrocking the arm 41 and the shafts 45. As shown in Fig. 5, the printingroll I is in a lowered position and out of contact with the Web 3. Whenpressure fluid is admitted'to the upper end of the cylinder 5|, it willof course force the piston 50 downwardly therein to thereby rock theshafts 45 counterclockwise (Fig. 5) so that the arms 44 and links 42will be adjusted to a position of substantially vertical alignment asshown in Fig. 1, thereby moving the posts 2|, the auxiliary frame l3 andthe printing roll upwardly into printing relationship to the sheet orweb 3 and the impression cylinder 2. The delivery of pressure fluid tothe cylinder 50 may be controlled by any suitable manual or automaticmeans, and it will of course be understood that appropriate piping isprovided for delivering pressure fluid selectively to either end of thecylinder while releasing pressure fluid from the opposite end thereof.

Ink may be supplied to the ink trough or pan 32 in any suitable manner.In this instance, there is shown a motor driven pump (see Figs. 1 and ofarms 80--80.

9 2) which draws ink from a suitable well or tank GI and discharges, itinto the conduit 33 which discharges into the pan 32 (Fig. 1).

The ink is delivered to the lower portion of the pan 32 and the inklevel may be determined by means of the position of the outlet openingthrough which the drain pipe 34 communicates with the ink pan.

By reference to Fig. 5 it will be seen that the ink supplied to the rollI is carried by the roll rearwardly and then upwardly to the printingline. Before the ink coated surface of the roll reaches the printingline, surplus ink is removed by the doctoring mechanism 35 previouslyreferred to. Said doctoring mechanism 35 is of the general type shown inEdmondson Patent 2,323,983, July 13, 1943, but modified and improved insome respects as will presently be described.

Surplus ink may fiow downwardly on the surface of the roll I and intothe pan 32 or any other suitable means may be provided for taking careof the ink which is doctored from the roll.

The doctoring mechanism 35 is carried by a plate Iii-which is, in turn,supported by a pair The upper ends of the arm 80 are screwed orotherwise securely attached to the lower edge portions of the plate I9and the lower ends of the arms are rotatably mounted on a shaft Theshaft SI is supported by suitably bored out brackets 82-82 which havecollar-like portions 83 secured to the upper ends of the inner sleeves22 of the adjacent vertically adjustable post structures (see Figs. andThe collar portions 83 may be split form and suitably bolted together soas to permit assembly thereof around the upper end of said sleeve 22between upper and lower flanges 94 and 85 respectively formed integrallywith the sleeve 22.

It will be seen that when the sleeve 22 is moved up or down by means ofthe toggle like elements consisting of the links 42 and the rock arms44, the arms 80, the plate I9 and the doctor blade mechanism will alsobe moved vertically in unison with the post structures and in unisonwith the printing roll, Hence, vertical adjustment of the printing rollby means of the hydraulically actuated toggle structure will occasion nochange in the relationship of the doctor blade to the printing roll. Itshould be observed that the col- Ian 83' is'of such size that it fitssnugly on the flanged upper end portion of the inner sleeve 22 so as tofirmly support the arms 80 and the doctor blade structure while at thesame time permitting the inner sleeve 22 to be rotated through theagency of the outer sleeve 23 for adjustment purposes already explained.

For cooperating with the arms B9 to support the plate I9 and the doctorblade structure, opposite endportions of the plate I9 are verticallyslidably mounted on the adjacent portion of the main frame structure I.For that purpose each upper edge portion of the plate I9 near each endis provided with a slot 86 fitting slidably around and under a bolt 81,which is threaded into the adjacent main frame portion or into suitablebrackets, such as indicated at 89, which are in turn secured to the mainframe proper. The bolts 81 are preferably of a shoulder type as bestshown in Fig. 4, which will provide the required space between the headof the bolt and the adjacent surface of the supporting bracket or framepart to permit sliding of the plate as already indicated. The lowermarginal portion of the plate at each end-is also slidably secured tothe main frame or to the brackets 88, this being accomplished in thisinstance by means of clip plates 89, which are bolted as shown at 90 tothe adjacent main frame portion (see Figs. 1, 2 and 13). The frame partI is suitably recessed as indicated at 9| to cooperate with the face ofeach clip 89 to vertically slidably receive the lower marginal endportions of the said plate I9.

The doctor blade structure proper comprises a normally stationary shaft92 which may be of square cross section for most of it length but whichis provided with rounded end portions suitably journalled in bearings 93and 94 which are carried by the plate I9 (see Figs. 4 and 15). A bodycasting 95 for the doctor blade is horizontally slidably mounted on theshaft 92, such mounting being effected at one end through the agency ofan arm 96 which is bolted to the end of the casting 95, as indicated at9l9'I. The arm 96 has a square opening broached out to properly fit. onthe square portion of the shaft 92. At the other end of the body casting95 (Fig. 15) the casting is slidably mounted on the shaft through theagency of a sleeve 98, a portion of which has a square socket fittingover an end portion of the square shaft 92, and another portion suitablybored out to slidably and rotatably fit on a round or cylindricalportion 99 of said shaft 92. The sleeve 98 fits inside a suitably formedportion of the casting 95 and the sleeve is rigidly connected to thecasting by suitable means, such as one or more set screws such asindicated at I00. Thus thesleeve 98 and casting 95 are movablehorizontally'as. a single unit on the shaft 92.

To effect horizontal reciprocation of the body casting 95, there isprovided a tubular member ml which has a portion fitting telescopicallyover an outer end portion of the sleeve 98. The tubular member I0I isprovided with a suitable roller I02 projecting inwardly from its innersurface and projecting into a cam groove I03 provided in. the sleeve 99.The cam groove I03 is so formed that rotation of the tubular member IOIin a fixed plane will effect reciprocation of the sleeve 98 and bodycasting 95. Additional details of the cam groove and roller structureare shown in the aforementioned Edmondson Patent 2,323,983. The tubularmember IOI is held against horizontal shifting movement by means of asuitably flanged bushing I04, which is in turn locked in place betweenthe inner end of the bearing 93 or a washer I05 and a shoulder I96formed on the shaft 92 by the provision of a suitably reduced diameterportion I01 of the shaft. The tubular member IIH is further providedwith spur gear teeth I08 by which the member may be rotated.

The doctor blade I09 is clamped between the portions of a split head H0,the said head IIO being secured to a shaft III. The shaft III isjournalled at its ends in end members I I2 and I I3 (see Fig. 15) andnear one end in a post member H4. The post H4 has a suitably formed headas best shown in Fig. 5 including a bolted on cap portion for rotatablysupporting the shaft II I.

The shaft III, together with the doctor blade I09 and its carrying headH0 may be rocked to adjust the angular relationship of the doctor bladeto the printing roll. The means for effecting such rocking of the shaftIII is best shown in Figs. 14 and 15. As there shown, the shaft III isprovided with a worm wheel H5 which is keyed or otherwise secured to theshaft. Said worm wheel i I5 meshes with a worm gear IIO provided on ashaft I II, which is rotatably mounted in the arm-like end member 90'and provided at its lower end with a bevel gear H8 which is keyed orotherwise secured to the shaft. The shaft H'I may be rotated by means ofa manually rotatable shaft I I9 suitably journalled in the lower endportion of the arm 96 and provided with a bevel gear I20 which mesheswith the gear H8. The outer end of the shaft H9 may be provided with ahand lever or arm I2I to facilitate turning of said shaft II 9 (see Fig.1).

The end member I I3 in which the shaft I II is journalled includes ashaft or post portion I22 which is slidable inwardly and outwardly in asocket I23 provided in said end arm 96. The post portion I22 of the endmember I I3 (see Figs. 14 and 15) corresponds to the post portion H4 ofthe intermediate bearing support for the shaft H I which is alsoslidable inwardly and outwardly in a suitable socket I24 provided insaid body casting 95 (see also Fig. The end member H2 (Fig. is similarlyslidable in a guide way I25 provided in the end of the body casting 95and it is adapted to be locked in selected position by means of aclamping screw I25. Each of the posts H4 and I22 are provided with gearteeth or racks I21 and I28 respectively which mesh with pinions, such asshown at I29 formed in a shaft I30, which is rotatably mounted in thebody casting 95 and end arm 95. By rotating the shaft I30, thesupporting members H4 and I22 for the shaft I I I may be moved inwardlyand outwardly,

provided of course that the clamping screw I26 is so adjusted as topermit the end member H2 to follow the movement of the shaft II I. Forrotating the shaft I30 there is provided an adjusting member I3I (seeFig. 16) which is suitably rotatably mounted in the body casting 95,

. secured against endwise movement and provided with worm gear teeth orequivalent screw threading, such as shown at I32 in mesh with suitableteeth I33 provided on a portion of the shaft I30. Because of the smallpitch diameter of the gear I33 the adjusting member I3I is disposed at aslight angle, as is clearly shown in Fig. 4 to properly dispose itsteeth I32 in operative relationship to the teeth I33 which areadvantageously formed parallel with the axis of the shaft I30. The outerend of the adjusting member I3I is preferably squared as indicated toreceive an adjusting wrench or lever to facilitate manual turningthereof.

When the shaft III is adjusted up or down relative to the upper edge ofthe body casting 96, the gear H5 on the shaft III will roll over theteeth of the worm gear H6 which is extended to maintain meshingrelationship with the gear H5 as best shown in Fig. 14. Hence, if theshaft I II is adjusted upwardly from the lowermost position shown inFig. 14, the angle of the doctor blade I09 would be changed. The anglemay be restored to the initial angle by turning the shaft I I9 asalready explained.

The doctor blade structure is also rockable about the axis of the shaft92 to thereby adjust the doctor blade I09 toward and from the surface ofthe printing roll. Such adjustment is particularly desirable tofacilitate the use of different sized printing rolls in the press.

For rocking the doctor blade structure about the axis of the shaft 92,said shaft is provided at one end with a worm wheel I34 which is keyedor otherwise secured to the shaft. Said worm wheel is in mesh with aworm gear I35 carried by a shaft I35 which is suitably rotatably mountedin brackets I31 and I 38 which are mounted on the plate I9. One end ofthe shaft I35 projects forwardly from the front bracket I31 and issuitably squared as shown in Fig. 13 to facilitate turning thereof bymeans of a Wrench or the like. Turning of the shaft I36 and its wormgear I35 will, of course, effect turning of the shaft 92 and the entiredoctor blade structure. Rotation of the shaft 92 is imparted to thedoctor blade structure by reason of the fact that the end arm 95 ismounted on a square portion of the shaft 92 as shown in Figs. 14 and 15.

The bearing I31 may be formed as a part of a housing I 48 which ismounted on the plate I9 to cover a portion of the end arm 96 whichprojects outwardly through an opening I49 (Fig. 14) in the plate 19.Said housing I48 is suitably slotted as shown at I50 to permit theadjusting shaft H9 to project into readily accessible position.

The doctor blade structure may, in its entirety, be swung outwardly fromthe printing roll about the axis of the shaft 8| on which the structureis pivotally supported by means of the arms or brackets 80.

The means for driving the gear I08 and thereby effecting reciprocationof the doctor blade is such that said swinging movement of the doctorstructure may be readily effected without first removing ordisconnecting any of the driving connections. As shown in Figs. 2 and 4,the gear I08 is driven by means of a pinion I39 and a gear I40 which aresuitably mounted for rotation on the plate I9 or in suitable bearingbrackets secured thereto. The gear I40 is carried by a shaft I4I whichis provided at its other end with a helical gear I42 which meshes withanother helical gear I43. The gear I 43 is carried by the upper end of ashaft I 44 which is journalled in a bracket I45 carried by the sideframe element 20. The lower end of said shaft I44 may be connecteddirectly to an electric motor I46 mounted on the side frame of themachine. A suitable speed reducing gearing may be incorporated in thecasing of the motor, if desired. The shaft I4I which carries the gearsI40 and I42 is journalled in a suitable housing I41 which is secured tothe plate 19.

When the doctor blade structure is to be swung outwardly on the shaft8|, the upper locking bolts 8181 and the clips 89-89 are removedwhereupon the doctor blade structure may be swung in its entirety to aninoperative, outofthe-way position. Such outward swinging movement ofthe doctor blade structure effects disengagement of the gear I42 fromthe gear I43 and when the structure is returned to operative positionthe gears I42 and I43 may be readily brought into mesh withoutdifficulty so that the driving connection between the motor I46 and thedoctor blade structure is restored.

The printing roll I is driven through a gear I5I suitably mounted on theshaft I5 of the printing roll. Said gear I5I meshes with a gear I52 (seeFig. 3) which is of split construction to permit adjustment of theeffective widths of the teeth of the gear. Said gear I52 is keyed to oneend of a shaft I53, the other end of which carries a clutch member I54which cooperates with another clutch member I55. The clutch member I55is keyed to a tubular shaft or sleeve I56 which has keyed to its otherend another split gear I51 which meshes with a driving gear I58 carriedby a drive shaft I59. The drive shaft I59 is in turn driven by anysuitable connections to a power source which in this instance may beconsidered as a main driving shaft which is drivingly connetted to eachof a plurality ofprinting press units employed for multi-color printing.As shown in'Fig. 2; the shaft I59 is driven by suitable gear connectionsindicatedat I60 to'a'vertically disposed shaft I-BI- which extendsdownwardly into drivingcon'nection with a main drive shaft common to allof the driven units ofappa ratus. The shaft I59" is, of course; suitablyjournalled in the supporting housing I62.

Theclutch" comprisingthe clutchparts I54 and I55 is preferably of thetype shown in Edmondsonapplication Serial No. 399,104, filed June21,1941', now PatentNumber 2,384,418", September' l, 1945.Saidclutch-mechanism" is of a typewhich can'be'repeatedlyengagedin onlya single driving position so that the printing cylinder I would alwaysoccupy the same operative relationship to the driving means which iscommon to other printing units; Thus restoration of register between allof the printing-units of the press is readilyattaine'd.

The clutch iscontrolled by means of a forked member IG'S'whichcarriessuitable pins or rollers operating in a groove I64 provided in a partwhich is rigid with the clutch member I54. forked member I63. is securedto the" upper end of a vertically disposed shaft" I65 which isjcurnallediin a bearing bracket I66 secured. to one side of the housingI62; Said bearing bracket I5 6 is suitably slotted as indi'cated'at. I61(Fig.5) to permit an arm I88 to be'mountedon said shaft I135. The arm IGB'is keyed to the shaft I85 so as. to permit the shaft to slidevertically said 7 through the arm 968' while at the same time insuringthe transmission of rocking movement and 6) to the free end of a pistonrod I10 of'a pneumatic cylinder I'H which is mountedin the casing I62.

The pneumatic cylinder I'I-I is suitably connected to a source ofpressure air and control means (not shown) so that when the cylinder 5|is-actuated to lower the printing roll I and parts associated therewithto an inoperative position, the clutch member I54 willbedisengaged fromthe clutch member I55 to thereby interrupt th normal drive of theprinting cylinder I.

For the purpose of. maintaining the printing cylinder in: rotation whenits normal drive is disengaged, there isprovided-a-nauxiliary drivingelectric motor I'IZ-suitablymounted onthe-housing I52 and connectedthrough a suitable speed reducing unit I18 to a shaft I 14- whichextends from: the speed reducing unit I131 Said shaft I14 has secured toit -a gear I15 which meshes with a gear I15 which is rotatable on ashort shaft I 'I'I carried by a suitable bracket element I13 of thespeed reducing unit I13. A pulley I19 is secured to the gear H t-and abelt I86 is employed for transmitting rotation from the pulley I18 to apulley I81 which is secured to or formed integrally with the clutch partI54.

When the electric motor I12 is-energized it is operative to drivethepulley H31 and the clutch member I54 and hence" the shaft I53 throughwhich the printing cylinder shaft I5 is driven by means of gears I52 and1:51:

When the auxiliary'driving motor I'I2'is not in operation and. thepress: is being operated through the main drive, driving of theauxiliary motor through the belt connection 89 is prevented by providinga suitable, known formoft overrnnning :7 5.

clutch mounting for the pulley IBI and clutch member I54 on the shaftI53. Such a clutch mounting is embodied in a hub part 22I formed on oneside of the pulley I 81 and so arrangedthat rotation of the pulley I8Iat a relatively low speed and in" one direction will be transmitted tothe shaft I53. However, when the press is being driven through the maindrive, the shaft I 53 will be driven at a higher rate of speed and theshaft will then rotate freely within the clutch containing hub 2'2I ofthe pulley I 8|. Thus the auxiliary drivin'glmotor H2 is protected fromreverse driving forces.

The motor I72 may be automatically controlled by suitable switchmechanism (notshown) interlocked with the control means for thehydrauliccylinder 5| and-the pneumatic cylinder Ill so that theeleotric motorwill be started and stopped in properly timed relation to the loweringand raising of the printing roll. The timing should be so arranged thatthe motor I'I2'willbe started after the clutch members I54 and I55 aredisengaged and the motor should be stopped just prior to reengagement ofsaid clutch members. The respective driving forces for the printingrolli are thus prevented from simultaneously driving the roll. Therequired timing mechanism is well known in the art and is, therefore,not herein illustrated.

When the printing cylinder is inits inoperative lowered position, it isdriven at a reduced speed by means of the auxiliary driving motor I12.thismanner'the printing cylinder is maintained in motion so as toprevent ink from drying on any portion of the cylinder even though theprinting unit is otherwise temporarily stopped for any purpose.

The auxiliary drive mechanism just described is made adjustable topermit it to operate in the manner described in connection with printingrollsof variousdiameters which result in differen't'p'ositi'ons ofelevation of the shaft I5 and the driving gear I5I As best shown inFigs. 3, 6 and '7, the shaft I'5'3,.the tubular shaft I56 and the partsassociated therewith are supported for rotation in a tubular housing I82which is preferably formed. integrally with a bracket I84. The housingportion I82 may be made in two sections separable along a plane parallelwith and extending through the axis of the shaft I53 so as to permitassembly of thestructure illustrated. A cap-like section I83 of thehousing may be bolted to the remainder of the housing bysuitable boits,such as indicated at I83a. (Fig. 7). The bracket plate IE4 is verticallyadjustably mounted on the adjacent side wall of the housing 5E2 by meansof bolts I85 which are secured against rotation and against lateralmovement in the housing I62 and passed through suitable upper and-lowerslots, such as indicated at I35 and It? respectively in the bracketplate IS l. By loosening the clamping nuts I86 on the bolts I85 thebracket plate I3 5 may be freed sufficiently to permit its being movedup or down as maybe required. Such movement of the plate mayadvantageously be effected through means such as one or more suitablypositioned bolts, such as indicated at I88 which are threaded throughbrackets I39 mounted on the housing I62. The upper ends of the bolts I88are provided with heads I9!) anchored in slots provided inthe bracketplate I84 so that up or down movement of the bolt I88 will betransmitted to said bracket plate I84. The bolts I 88 may also. beprovided with nut-like collars I9-Ii to; facilitate turning of the boltby means of a wrench or the like, such collars being located in properlyspaced relation to the bolt heads I90 for embracing between them aportion of the bracket plate I84, as shown in Fig. '1.

The axis of the driven gear II, at its highest elevation, i. e., whenthe smallest printing roll is in use, will be concentric with the axisof the axially fixed drive gear I58. When a larger diameter printingroll is used, the axis of the gear I5I will, of course, be lowered.Lowering of the axis of the printing roll shaft I5 and its driving gearI5I will, of course, require appropriate adjustment of the position ofthe axis of the gear I52 to maintain it in proper mesh with the gearI5I. It may be observed that it is not feasible to lower the axis of thegear I52 to the same extent that the axis of the gear I5! is loweredsince that would also involve lowering of the gear I51 to an improper,if not inoperative, relationship to the main driving gear I58.Accordingly provision is made for adjusting the gears I52 and I51 bothdownwardly and towards the gears I5I and I58 respectively whereby thegears I52 and I51 may be maintained in proper meshing relationship totheir respective cooperating gears I5I and I58.

In the diagram, Fig. 12, there is represented the relationship of thegears I5I, I52, I51 and I58 when there is in use a printing roll havinga diameter which is greater than the diameter of the smallest printingroll which the press is designed to use. The axis I5a of the largerprinting roll shaft I5 and the driven gear I5I is spaced from the axisI59a of the drive shaft I59 and gear I58. (Fig. 3 may be advantageouslyconsidered together with Fig. 12 in connection with this explanation.)In Fig. 12, the coaxial gears I52 and I51 are represented (a) in fulllines in an elevated position for driving engagement respectively withthe gears l5I and I58 when they are coaxial as when the smallestdiameter printing roll is in use, and (b) in broken lines in a loweredposition for driving engagement respectively with the gears I5I and I58when they are not in coaxial relationship as when a larger diameterprinting roll is in use. The common axis of the gears I52 and I51 isindicated at I53a and I53b in two positions respectively correspondingto the two illustrated positions of the gears I52 and I51.

In order to maintain the gears I52 and I51 in proper mesh with the gearsI51 and I58 respectively when they are out of coaxial alignment, as whena printing roll of larger than minimum size is to be used, the commonaxis of the gears I 52 and I51 is adjusted downwardly from I53a to I531)in an are having its center coincident with the fixed axis I59ci of thedrive shaft I59 and gear I58. Such arcuate adjustment of the axis I53aserves, of course, to maintain the gear I51 in proper relationship tothe gear I58 and it will be apparent from the diagram that suchadjustment also serves to place the gear I52 in proper operativerelationship to the gear I5I, the axis of which is downwardly offsetrelative to the axis of the gear I58. The downward movement of the saidcommon axis of the gears I52 and I51 is one-half of the distance thatthe axis I5a is lowered for the selected larger size printing roll fromthe location of the axis I5a for the minimum sized printing roll. Itwill also be apparent that this condition will prevail throughout therange of printing roll diameters which may be employed.

For effecting the indicated adjustment of the gears I52 and I51 thebracket plate I84 is vertically movably mounted on the housing I62 asalready explained. The vertical component of movement of the gears I52and I51 may be effected by appropriate turning of the adjusting screwsI88.

The horizontal component of the arcuate adjusting movement of the gearsI52 and I51 is obtained by means of an eccentric mounting of the tubularshaft I56 and the shaft I53 in the housing I82. This is effected bymeans of a sleeve-like member I92 rotatably mounted within the housingI82 and equipped with ball bearings I93 and I94 at its opposite ends forrotatably supporting the tubular shaft I56. The shaft I53 is, of course,suitably journalled in opposite end portions of the tubular shaft I56 asshown at I95 and I96 where suitable anti-friction bearings may beprovided if desired. The sleeve I92 is somewhat enlarged at its ends forreceiving the ball bearings I93 and I94 and the seats or bearingsurfaces I91 and I98 for the respective anti-friction bearings I93 andI94 are concentrically disposed relative to the common axis of the shaftI53 and tubular shaft I56. The bearing seat or surfaces I99 and 200 onwhich the sleeve member I92 is rotatable, are eccentrically disposedrelative to the said bearing surfaces I91 and I98 respectively so thatrotation of said sleeve I92 will effect the lateral or horizontalcomponent of adjustment of the common axis of the shafts I53 and I56.

For rotating the sleeve I92, a portion of the bearing surface 200 at oneend of the sleeve is provided with gear teeth, indicated at 20I (seeFigs. 3 and 9), which mesh with the teeth 202 of a screw or worm gear203 which is suitably rotatably mounted in a portion of the housing I82.One end of the screw 203 is squared or otherwise formed to accommodate awrench or wheel for facilitating manual rotation of the screw andthereby turning of the adjusting sleeve I92 to effeet the requiredlateral adjustment of the gears I52 and I 51.

Suitable controls (not shown) are, of course, provided for effectingproperly timed admission and exhaustion of pressure fluid from thehydraulic and pneumatic cylinders 5I and HI respectively, and for theenergization of the auxiliary driving motor I 12.

In Figs. 6 and 7, the parts are illustrated in positlons occupied foractuating the smallest printing roll which the press is designed tohandle. When a larger printing roll is employed and the driving shaftI53 and tubular shaft I56 (see Fig. 3) are lowered and moved inwardlyabout the axis of the drive shaft I59 and gear I58, adjustment isrequired to maintain the auxiliary driving belt I (see also Figs. 2 and6) tight enough to effectively transmit power to the pulley I8I. Suchadjustment is effected by loosening one or more set screws, such asindicated at 222, in the annular member 223 in which bracket I18 ismounted for rotation (see Figs. 6 and '1). The bracket member I18 maythen be rotatably adjusted to lower the position of the pulley I19 tothe extent required for maintaining the driving belt I80 tight.

Lowering of the driving shaft I53 and parts associated therewith alsonecessitates lowering of the clutch controlling member I63. This ispermitted to follow the downward movement of the shaft I53 automaticallyas an incident to the vertically slidable mounting of the shaft I in thehub of the arm I68.

It will be seen that in the described printing press structure, verticallowering of the printing roll, as readily effected by the hydraulicmeans described, permits the press unit to be made temporarilyinoperative without disturbing the position of the paper being printedon. Waste of paper is thus avoided and difli'culties of effectingreregistration of the printing unit relative to other printing or otherunits operating on the same paper are overcome.

The described structure further includes an arrangement whereby when theprinting roll is lowered to temporary inoperative position it isautomatically kept in rotation but usually at a lower speed; thisprevents drying of ink on the roll eliminates time-consuming printingroll cleaning operations each time that the press unit is madetemporarily inoperative. Also, it will be observed that accurateadjustment of the printing roll to proper operative relation to theimpression cylinder may be easily effected Without disturbing, orwithout hindrance from, the mechanism which permits the roll to betemporarily lowered to an inoperative position. The doctor blademechanism is 50 arranged that it follows the printing roll up and downinto its inoperative and operative positions respectively, and saiddoctor blade mechanism is further readily movable in its entirety to aninoperative, out-of-the-way position facilitating removal of theprinting cylinder and replacement thereof. The mounting of the doctorblade mechanism which permits the latter to be swung toan-out-of-the-way position is such that its other adjustments'are notnecessarily changed so that it may be readily restored to its normalrelationship to the printing roll without readjusting the setting of thevarious parts. In general, the structure is such that extensive timelosses experienced with conventional presses incident to temporarystoppages are efiectively eliminated together with certain advantages inrespect to the facility with which various sizes of printing rolls maybe mounted in the press without making extensive other changes in themechanism.

Various changes in the structure may be made while retaining theprinciples of the invention as referred to in the following claims.

We claim:

1. In a printing press, a rotatable printing roll, I

a normally fixed main frame, an auxiliary frame extending around saidprinting roll and vertically slidably mounted 'on said main frame, saidprinting roll being journalled in said auxiliary frame, means forvertically adjustably supporting said auxiliary frame and printing rollcomprising four posts located respectively adjacent the corners of saidauxiliary frame, means for effecting simultaneous predetermined verticaladjustment of said posts to thereby correspondingly adjust said printingroll to and from printing position, mechanism adjustable independentlyof said means for effecting adjustment of said posts variable, selecteddistances vertically to thereby adapt the auxiliary frame to supportprinting rolls of various diameters with their uppermost surfaceportions at a predetermined elevation in printing position, and meansfor simultaneously effecting like adjustment of saidposts to theselected variable extent.

2. In a printing press, a rotatable printing roll, a normally fixedframe, an auxiliary frame element vertically slidably mounted on saidfixed frame for vertically adjustably supporting said printing roll, andmeans for-effecting vertical adjustment of said auxiliary framecomprising a post anchored to said auxiliary frame and having a screwthreaded portion, a normally fixed bracket having an opening into whichsaid screw threaded post portion projects, an inner sleeve provided withinternal screw threading engaging the screw threading on said postwithin said bracket, an outer sleeve surrounding said inner sleeve,means for interlocking said sleeves for unitary rotary movement whilepermitting relative vertical movement therebetween, means for lockingsaid outer sleeve to said bracket against vertical movement whilepermitting rotation thereof, means for rotating said outer sleeve tothereby also rotate said inner sleeve for efiecting vertical movement ofsaid post, and means for effecting independent vertical movement of saidpost and inner sleeve within said outer sleeve.

3. In a printing press, a rotatable printing roll, a normally fixedframe, an auxiliary frame element vertically slidably mounted on saidfixed frame for vertically adjustably supporting said printing roll, andmeans for effecting vertical adjustment of said auxiliary framecomprising a post anchored to said auxiliary frame and having a screwthreaded portion, a normally fixed bracket having an opening into whichsaid screw threaded post portion projects, an inner sleeve provided withinternal screw thread-ing engaging the screw threading on said postwithin said bracket, an outer sleeve surrounding said inner sleeve,means for interlocking said sleeves for unitary rotary movement whilepermitting relative vertical movement therebetween, means for lockingsaid outer sleeve to said bracket against vertical movement whilepermitting rotation thereof, means for rotating said outer sleeve tothereby also rotate said inner sleeve for effecting vertical movement ofsaid post, an inner sleeve extension member vertically slidably mountedin said bracket and connected to said inner sleeve so as to permitrelative rotation between said inner sleeve and said extension whileuniting said sleeve and extension for unitary vertical movement withinsaid bracket, and means connected to said sleeve extension for effectingvertical movement of said extension, said inner sleeve and said post.

i. A printing press according to claim 3 wherein there is also provideda doctor blade structure for removing surplus ink from said printingroll, said doctor blade structure being also vertically adjustablymounted on said normally fixed frame, and means interconnecting saiddoctor blade structure and said vertically movable post for effectingvertical adjustment of said doctor blade structure simultaneously withvertical adjustment of said printing roll.

In a printing press, a rotatable printing roll, a main frame, anauxiliary frame vertically slidably mounted in said main frame, saidprinting roll being journalled on said auxiliary frame so as to bethereby vertically adjustably supported, a doctor lade structure foracting on said printing roll, means vertically adjustably mounting saiddoctor blade structure on said main frame, and means interconnectingsaid doctor blade structure and said auxiliary frame for effectingunitary vertical adjustment of said auxiliary frame and doctor bladestructure to thereby maintain the operative relationship between thedoctor blade and printing roll, said interconnecting means comprising ashaft secured to said auxiliary frame in relatively fixed relationthereto, and a pair of arms pivotally mounted on said shaft and securedto said doctor blade structure for transmitting vertical movement ofsaid auxiliary frame and shaft to said doctor blade structure, saiddoctor blade structure being also pivotally movable about the axis ofsaid shaft from operative relation to said printing roll to aninoperative out-of-the-way position to provide access to said printingroll.

6. In a printing press, a main frame, an auxiliary frame elementvertically slidably mounted in said main frame and provided with meansfor rotatably supporting a printing roll, said auxiliary frame memberbeing adapted to be supported in various positions of verticaladjustment relative to said main frame member to thereby selectivelysupport printing rolls of various diameters with their upper surfaceportions at a predetermined elevation common to all of the printingrolls, there being a shaft portion adapted to be journalled in saidauxiliary frame element for mounting the respective rolls therein, agear train comprising a main drive gear, a driven gear mounted on saidprinting roll shaft, a pair of intermediate gears, one of which mesheswith said drive gear and. the other of which meshes with said drivengear, clutch means for disengageably connecting said pair ofintermediate gears, whereby said printing roll is drivable by said drivegear through said train of gears and whereby said drive gear is adaptedto be disconnected from said driven gear by disengagement of said clutchmeans, means operative through one of said intermediate gears when saidclutch is disengaged, to drive said printing roll, and means formounting said pair of intermediate gears for movement relative to theperipheries of said drive and driven gears to permit driving engagementto be maintained between the respective intermediate gears and saiddrive and driven gears in various positions of adjustment of said drivengear incident to the employment of printing rolls of various diameters.

7. In a printing press adapted to employ various sized printing rollswith the axes thereof at various positions to locate portions of theprinting surfaces of the respective rolls in a common predeterminedposition, an axially fixed drive gear, a driven gear which is coaxialwith the selected size printing roll, means for transmitting rotationfrom said drive gear to said driven gear comprising a pair of coaxial,interconnected, intermediate gears respectively meshing with said driveand driven gears, means for mounting said intermediate gears for arcuatemovement about the axis of said axially fixed drive gear, said mountinmeans comprising a vertically adjustably mounted supporting member, asleeve rotatably mounted in said member, means carrying saidintermediate gears and rotatably mounted in said sleeve, said sleevehaving relatively eccentrically disposed external and internal bearingsurfaces for respectively rotatably supporting the sleeve in said memberand rotatably supporting said gear carrying means, said eccentricallydisposed bearing surfaces serving to effect lateral shifting of theaxial position of said intermediate gears as an incident to turning ofsaid sleeve.

8. In a printing press embodying a substantially fixed positionimpression cylinder and means adjustable radially of said cylinder forsupporting various sized printing rolls in operative relation to saidimpression cylinder, an axially fixed drive gear, a driven gear coaxialwith the selected size printing roll, said driven gear being of the samesize for all of the various sized printing rolls which may be employedas desired, means for transmitting rotation from said fixed drive gearto said driven gear in each of its various positions incident to thevarious sizes of printing rolls employed from time to time, comprising apair of intermediate gears interconnected for the unitary rotation andrespectively meshing with said drive and driven gears, means formounting said pair of gears for arcuate movement about the axis of saiddrive gear, said mounting means comprising a vertically adjustablymounted supporting member, a sleeve rotatably mounted in said member,means carrying said intermediate gears and rotatably mounted in saidsleeve, said sleeve having relatively eccentrically disposed externaland internal bearing surfaces for respectively rotatably supporting thesleeve in said member and rotatably supporting said gear carrying means,said eccentrically disposed bearing surfaces serving to effect lateralshifting of the axial position of said intermediate gears as an incidentto turning of said sleeve, and means carried by said supporting memberfor turning said sleeve.

9. A printing press comprising an impression roll, a printing rollmounted for movement from cooperative relationship with said impressionroll to such spaced relationship thereto as to permit the sheet materialnormally to be printed on to pass between said rolls without contactingsaid printing roll, and means for driving said printing roll embodying anormally fixed drive member, a driven member fixedly connected to saidprinting roll, and transmission means operatively connected to saiddrive member and to said driven member, said transmission meanscomprising a pair of coaxial members respectively operatively connectedto said driving means and said driven member, a disengageable clutchinterconnecting said pair of members, and an auxiliary drive meansconnected to the one of said pair of members which is connected to saiddriven member for driving the latter when said clutch is disengaged.

10. A printing press comprising an impression roll, a printing rollmounted for movement from cooperative relationship with said impressionroll to such spaced relationship thereto as to permit the sheet materialnormally to be printed on to pass between said rolls without contactingsaid printing roll, and means for driving said printing roll, saiddriving means embodying a normally fixed drive member, a driven memberfixedly connected to said printing roll, and transmission meansoperatively connected to said drive member and to said driven member,said transmission means being adjustable to permit the same to deliverits power output to said driven member in various locations thereofincident to the employment of various sizes of printing rolls, and saidtransmission means comprising a pair of members respectively operativelyconnected to said driving means and said driven member, a disengageableclutch interconnecting said pair of members, and an auxiliary drivemeans connected to the one of said pair of members which is connected tosaid driven member, said auxiliary drive means being operative to drivesaid driven member when said clutch is disengaged.

11. A printing press comprising an impression roll, a printing rollmounted for movement from cooperative relationship with said impressionroll

